LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Four people are facing serious charges in the Jan. 31, 2025 death of a five-year-old boy during a hyperbaric oxygen therapy session in Troy.
The chamber caught fire and exploded while Thomas Cooper underwent treatment for ADHD and sleep apnea at The Oxford Center. These are conditions for which hyperbaric therapy is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
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Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced the charges.
- Tamela Peterson, 58, of Brighton: Founder and CEO of The Oxford Center, charged with second-degree murder.
- Gary Marken, 65, of Spring Arbor: Facility manager, charged with second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter.
- Jeffrey Mosteller, 64, of Clinton Township: Safety manager, charged with second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter.
- Aleta Moffitt, 60, of Rochester Hills: Chamber operator, charged with involuntary manslaughter and falsifying medical records.
Investigations revealed that critical safety protocols were allegedly disregarded and contributed to the fatal explosion. The hyperbaric chamber was reportedly operated beyond its service life without proper safety practices. The child’s mother, Annie Cooper, sustained severe burns while attempting to rescue her son from the flames.
Attorney General Nessel emphasized the preventable nature of the tragedy, attributing it to deliberate negligence and a blatant disregard for safety protocols. She stated, “This tragedy could have been prevented if proper safety protocols were followed.”
The defendants are currently in custody awaiting arraignment.
